Influenza vaccines induce immune responses primarily to the hemagglutinin protein of influenza. VVRP investigators are evaluating new vaccine candidates targeting influenza A/H7N9, A/H5N1, and seasonal vaccines. We have also launched, in partnership with the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center and the Human Vaccine Project, the Universal Influenza Vaccine Initiative, which is designed to characterize the human immune response to influenza in a comprehensive manner.

The VVRP is home to pediatric physicians and scientists, research nurses, clinical research staff, regulatory specialists, administrative personnel and laboratory personnel. The VVRP is funded through the NIH-sponsored Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit, the CDC-sponsored Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Network, and various industry partnerships.

Welcome!

The Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program was formed in 2001 to conduct clinical and translational research in vaccines, vaccine preventable diseases, and pediatric infectious diseases. Led since 2014 by Dr. Buddy Creech, Associate Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, the mission of the VVRP is to reduce the burden of infectious diseases worldwide through the discovery, evaluation, and delivery of effective and safe vaccines and therapeutics.

Our vision is that tomorrow will be better than today.

Current projects include:

Prevention of seasonal and avian influenza infections

Dissecting the immune response to influenza vaccination through systems vaccinology

Defining the immune response to Staphylococcusaureus colonization and disease in children and adults

Determining biomarkers of pneumonia severity in children

Evaluating new and existing vaccines for pathogens such as influenza, S. aureus, pertussis, CMV, rotavirus, HPV, pneumococcus, and Group B streptococcus.

Evaluating new therapies for S. aureus and C. difficile.

Pharmacokinetic studies of beta-lactam antibiotics in special populations, such as critically ill adults and patients with cystic fibrosis

Investigating issues around vaccine safety, including vaccination of at-risk populations.

The VVRP also serves as a resource to providers in the area for issues related to vaccine safety through the CDC-funded Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) Network. If you have questions regarding potential adverse events following immunization or other vaccine-related questions, please contact us.

VVRP News and Events

Influenza vaccines typically target hemagglutinin, a polymorphic molecule that facilitates binding to epithelial cells. VVRP investigators are currently evaluating a new influenza A/H7N9 vaccine in a Phase II clinical trial.

Clostridium difficile infections are increasing in frequency and severity. The VVRP is currently evaluating whether fecal microbiota restoration ('fecal transplant') can lead to faster recovery in patients with recurrent C. difficile infections

The VVRP recently completed a multicenter, multiyear study of intranasal and topical mupirocin for premature infants at high risk for S. aureus disease. The study enrolled infants who were colonized with S. aureus; babies were randomized to treatment or no treatment and evaluated for both decolonization and prevention of disease. The study, which will be published in the journal, Pediatrics, showed that mupirocin was safe in neonates and effective at reducing colonization with S. aureus. The study was not powered to detect a difference in infection risks, though there were slightly fewer in the treatment group.